The Castle in the Sea (Quest of the Sunfish 2)

The Castle in the Sea (Quest of the Sunfish 2) by Mardi McConnochie, (Allen and Unwin)  PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 9781760290924

Reviewed by Daniela Andrews

The sailing adventures of Annalie, Will, Essie and Pod continue in the second ‘Quest of the Sunfish’ book, as they desperately search for Spinner. The story picks up about three weeks after the foursome escaped from Little Lang Lang Island, armed with the names of four important scientists. This novel focuses on their quest to find and talk to each scientist in the hope they’ll find Spinner. Their journey is highly dangerous. Aside from the ongoing threat of roaming pirates, they need to remain hidden from the Admiralty and, especially, Beckett (who is still pursuing them relentlessly). Then there’s the weather. The book begins with a ripper of a storm that causes two characters to become lost at sea … and the action never loses pace thereafter.

As per the first book, this is a highly gripping page-turner. The chapters are short, and there’s action aplenty. Mardi McConnochie slips in a few more details about the Collodius Process and why the research must be kept hidden from the government at all costs. She also clearly sets the direction for the closing novel in the trilogy, to be released in September 2017 – the foursome must make their way to the final scientist on the list, who lives on a mysterious island with extremely guarded borders. 

McConnochie occasionally offers the occasional recap as to what happened in ‘Escape to the Moon Islands’, but reading the first book is necessary to appreciate the background of the journey. There is also very little focus on the personalities and background stories of Annalie, Will, Essie and Pod in this one. The characters might not seem particularly interesting, or even likeable, without having read the first novel in the series. (The first novel has, incidentally, been shortlisted for the Readings Children’s Book Prize 2017.) The novel should appeal to 9–12-year-olds who like adventure stories, along with readers who have an appreciation and love for science.

Escape to the Moon Islands

Escape to the Moon Islands by Mardi McConnochie (Allen and Unwin) PB RRP $14.99  ISBN 9781760290917

Reviewed by Daniela Andrews

I’m grateful nobody took a photo of me reading this novel for I must have looked a funny sight … eyes wide open, face alarmed (though I wouldn’t have noticed if they had because I could barely look away from the page!) This fast-paced novel, the first in a new adventure series titled Quest of the Sunfish, is delightfully intense.

The story, for 9–12 year-olds, is set in a dystopian future where a terrible Flood (caused by rising sea levels) has altered the world. Will and Annalie, twin siblings, set off on a dangerous sea adventure in a quest to find their missing father, Spinner. Annalie’s friend from school, Essie, accompanies them, along with Graham (their talking parrot). They also pick up another crew member along the way – the mysterious Pod.

The world is under the control of the Admiralty, a powerful navy that governs and patrols the oceans. The children discover their father has allegedly stolen something from the Admiralty, and is hiding from them. As a result, they themselves are at threat, and they learn that the Admiralty is not as trustworthy as it seems. While trying to find Spinner, the children seek clues and crack codes to work out what it is that he has stolen and why.

The short chapters are full of action and suspense as they escape from pirates, cannibals and navigate stormy seas, all the while trying to keep out of sight of the Admiralty. Each character is very different, providing much tension in the novel. Their friendships and loyalties are challenged.

Mardi McConnochie, well-known scriptwriter and author of several books (including Melissa, Queen of Evil, a winner of an Aurealis award) has delivered a gripping new adventure story. A second novel in the series will be published in April 2017.